Homilies and articles from a Catholic priest

Father Dan continues a series of classes on life issues (pressed upon us by new technologies) by examining principles at the heart of the questions. First, the basics of human life: Who may take a life; which life, and in what conditions? Who may create a life? Second, some basic principles of moral theology, applied to abortion: a focus upon the human act; considering the object, intention, and circumstances of an act; and the principle of double effect.

Father Dan goes beyond surface appearances to reveal the heart of the Catholic Mass: the Real Presence of Christ; participation in his one perfect Sacrifice; and receiving his Body and Blood in Holy Communion. Deepen your understanding, and learn how to prepare yourself to truly enter in.

“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light.” The original context of these words from the prophet Isaiah was a mass deportation by the Assyrian Empire in the 8th century B.C. The land of the tribes of Zebulun and Naphtali was near the northern end of the Holy Land, alongside the Sea of Galilee. And when the Assyrian Empire conquered the northern Kingdom of Israel in 722, these lands were the first to have the Jewish people forcibly deported and resettled far away, and foreign peoples brought in to live there. They were the first to suffer in this way. And how fitting that these lands should also be the first to receive the blessing of feeling the footsteps of Jesus; of hearing his message of hope; of witnessing his healing miracles, and receiving his call. (more…)

Father Dan begins a series of classes on life issues (pressed upon us by new technologies) by examining abortion—taking the life of a child not yet born. What is the Church’s teaching? Is it ever moral? Does it bring on excommunication? What do prenatal diagnosis and contraceptives have to do with it? What are our duties as voters?

John the Baptist was a dramatic figure. He was out in the desert; and he wore clothing made of camel’s hair and a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. He preached repentance to prepare for the coming Messiah, and he baptized with water those who responded to his message. And he drew quite a crowd. St. Matthew tells us [3:4-5]: At that time Jerusalem, all Judea, and the whole region around the Jordan were going out to him.

And in our Gospel reading today, with a crowd of people around him, John is pointing at a man who is coming toward them. (more…)

Audio only: Listen to mp3 file (Length: 47:06)Faith Seeks Understanding: The Truth at the Heart of Christmas, 3 of 3

Father Dan concludes a series of classes on the truths at the heart of Christmas (and indeed of our Catholic faith and practice) by presenting the four dogmas about Christ’s mother: that she is Mother of God; that she is ever-virgin; that she was conceived free from the stain of sin; and that she was assumed body and soul into heaven. Learn how these truths connect closely with truths about her divine Son.

It happens often in the movies—especially fantasy or adventure movies; sometimes action or thrillers. You start out with the main character, who seems pretty average, leading a pretty normal, quiet life. And then this person meets someone or receives a message:

“You aren’t ordinary; you’re special. And we have a mission for you: something big and hard and important. (more…)

After the material Christmas preparations quiet down… let your spiritual Christmas joy begin! This year Father Dan offers you an audio “online retreat.” From Sunday December 26 through Thursday January 6, take 15 minutes to listen and receive every gift your True Love gives to you—every day of the original 12 Days of Christmas.

Today is the Octave Day of Christmas. The Church has long had the practice of celebrating the octaves of certain important feast days: that is, after celebrating the day itself, of then coming back on the 8th day and, in a way, celebrating it again, sort of like an echo or a reprise in music. Because the person, and the mystery, celebrated on those days is just too important to let it just fade away into our memories and into the past so quickly; so it seems important to bring it back again. (more…)